Setting SMART Goals for the New Year

So many people view the New Year as the clean slate upon which they will build resolutions and goals. It is a wonderful concept but how many people do you know who have failed at their New Year resolutions? Are you one of those people? First of all, good for you for taking the initiative to identify something you would like to improve upon. That is really step number one.

This year can be your year for success with a few key ingredients. Identify a key list of improvements you want to make in your life. Once those are on paper, apply the theory of SMART goals.

1) Make the goal Specific. Example: I want to lose fat.
2) Make the goal Measurable. Example: I want to lose 10 pounds of fat.
3) Make the goal Attainable. Do you have the ability to lose 10 pounds of fat? What will you have to do in order to achieve that? Join a club, hire a trainer, work with a dietician….
4) Make the goal Realistic. This is where most people fail. They set the bar so high, that the probability of achieving it is extremely low. Example: Instead of saying I want to lose 40 pounds. Try saying, I want to lose 10 pounds of fat. This is much easier for you to get your arms around mentally (10 pounds vs 40) and increases the likelihood that you will be successful.
5) Put the goal on a Timeline. This creates a sense of accountability and also allows you to plan your attack more effectively.

Here is our SMART goal identified above: I want to lose 10 pounds of fat by June 1, 2011.

Now that you have your goal, set out to achieve it! Ask yourself these key questions:

1) How will I feel when I achieve this goal?
2) What is standing in the way of my achievement right now?
3) What can I do to support myself in the achievement of this goal?
4) How will I deal with setbacks as well as accomplishments during my path?

By giving yourself these tools and guidelines BEFORE starting the transformation, you will have a higher probability of success because you have already broken down the potential for failure. Post these in a visible place so you can refer to it while working on the goal.

Here is to the New Year and all the possibilities (and probabilities) 2011 brings to you!

Peace and Happy New Year!